Emergency Room Technician (#1245)

Klickitat Valley Health is now accepting applications for a casual Emergency Room Technician.

This position provides "fill-in" coverage for the department, as needed to cover for vacations, leaves and high volumes. Shifts may vary as the Emergency Department is open 7 days/week. This position does not offer a specific amount of hours per week but the candidate should be available for a minimum of two shifts per month.
Flexibility in scheduling is essential for this position.

The ED Technician performs direct patient care activities under the direction of a Registered Nurse or Physician in the Emergency Department within his/her scope of practice. The ED Tech also provides unit secretary support and acts as a liaison between the ED and other departments. The ED Tech will act within the scope of their license according to the applicable RCW but never greater than the scope that KVH has defined for this position (see ER Tech Scope of Practice guide). The ED Tech works collaboratively with colleagues and departments throughout the organization to provide optimal outcomes for our patients. The ED Tech demonstrates excellence in customer service during interactions with employees, managers/supervisors, physicians, patients and patient family members, etc. The ED Tech is aware of the potential exposure to internal and external hazardous materials, including but not limited to: blood and blood borne pathogens, infectious/communicable diseases, potential physical injury while caring for patients. Maintains a safe and clean environment for the care of the patient.

Duties:

• Supports the mission, vision and values of the organization.
• Takes patient’s vital signs and reports abnormal values to the RN or provider promptly. Enters vital signs into the patient’s medical record.
• Collects specimens as instructed by RN or provider.
• Prepares patients for examination by dressing and gowning; assists provider as needed in the examination of the patient (e.g., hold child for injection, turn patient, hand instruments to physician, etc.).
• Obtains, prepares, and sets up supplies and instruments to be used in the care and treatment of patients; as directed, performs or assists in the treatment (e.g., apply traction, gather supplies for intravenous lines).
• Observe patients receiving intravenous solutions, transfusions, and report any side effects to RN or provider.
• Performs skin preparations for application of aseptic dressings; apply slings and ace bandages.
• Fits and instructs patients in the use of crutches, application of eye patches, assists with splinting.
• Carries out cardiopulmonary resuscitation on patients in cardiac or respiratory arrest; responds to emergency codes.
• Uses the principles of growth and development to assess each patient’s age-specific needs and provides age-specific treatment and care.
• Applies compresses and dressings to burns per provider’s orders.
• Immobilizes and extricates patients from a private vehicle or helicopter.
• Subdues and physically restrains patients, as appropriate and documents required assessment and intervention.
• Assists with duties related to admission, discharge, and transfer patients. Communicates and interacts with patients and families in a positive and courteous manner. Maintains the strictest confidentiality of all facility and facility-related employee information.
• Maintains a clean, well-stocked, safe environment for patients and staff. Keeps patient care and utility areas neat and clean.
• Answers phone, takes messages, runs errands, and assists other staff as needed.
• Registers patients on the computer and ensures all necessary signatures and acknowledgments are obtained.
• Assembles patient charts and ensures that the chart is complete including all appropriate documentation, signatures and forms.
• Maintains established departmental policies and procedures, objectives, safety, environmental, and infection prevention standards.
• Participates in departmental and organizational quality management activities.
• Observes and communicates changes in the patients’ condition.
• Cooperates with other personnel to achieve department objectives and maintain good employee relations, interdepartmental objectives, and infection control policies.
• Instructs patient/family regarding diagnostic procedures, medications, nutrition and health/wellness issues utilizing available resources.
• Assists physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner with exams and procedures including suture removal, wound care, EKG, cast application, etc.
• Accurately documents patient history, vital signs, immunizations and allergies in the patient’s electronic health record.
• Tracks and routes test results to provider(s) for review, and communicates test results to patients when deemed appropriate by provider.
• Attends a minimum of 50% of nursing staffing meetings and 100% of mandatory in-services.
• Completes initial and annual skills competencies.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills/Knowledge/Abilities:
• Demonstrated knowledge of basic nursing skills (i.e., taking vital signs, measuring output, recognition of abnormal signs and symptoms, etc.); first aid, patients’ rights, universal precautions, infection prevention, body mechanics, basic medical and nursing terminology.
• Knowledge of basic technical emergency care, including basic life support (airway management, breathing, and circulation), stabilization and splinting fractures, cervical spine alignment/protection and vital sign parameters.
• Requires critical thinking skills, ability to make good decisions, listen and accept advice from others, demonstrate maturity and good judgement and the ability to work with regular supervision.
• Demonstrated ability of positive interpersonal and communication skills with colleagues, patients, families, physicians particularly during times of high stress.
• Promote/develop/deliver excellent customer service to both internal (patients, physician and staff) and external customers (visitors and vendors), and work effectively with distraught or agitated individuals.
• Work productively and cohesively within a team and resolve conflict/differences in a positive manner.
• Adaptability is essential to manage the needs of a department with unpredictable volume and limited staff.
• Work in a stressful, fast-paced environment and take appropriate action to ensure quality of patient care, ability to cope with both physical and emotional demands of the job.
• Ability to anticipate tasks and prioritize assignments.
• Excellent organizational and multi-tasking skills.
• Demonstrate attention to detail and high degree of accuracy, risk of error could result in significant harm or loss.
• Ability to read, write, speak and understand simple sentences in English.
• Follow oral and written instructions precisely.
• Experience with using everyday computer electronic technology tools (e.g., email, data retrieval, voicemail, and internet/intranet) as well as ability to effectively utilize an electronic medical record.
• Proficiency with basic computer programs including Microsoft Word and Excel, and have good typing skills.

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